Kumu Mary Kupau
Kumu Mary Kahealani Kupau was born, raised and resides in Waiahole, Hawaii on the island of O’ahu, to Oliver Kupau Jr. and Janet Kupau. She is the youngest of 8 children. Attended windward schools – from Waiahole Elementary to King Intermediate to Castle High School and Windward Community College. She is also a busy mother of 3 children (2 boys & 1 girl) and a loving puna to her darling grandson Kapilina.
Mary always had a passion for the art of hula and the determination to perpetuate her Hawaiian culture. In 1979, at the age of 12 Mary started dancing hula with Kuhai Halau ‘o Kawaikapuokalani pa ‘olapa kahiko, under the direction of Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Mary is remembered by many as one of four original hula dancers that performed Kawaikapuokalani’s famous song, “Aerobasize”. Her biggest fan was her dad, who supported her every move in hula and loved to watch Mary light up with joy, happiness and pride every time she danced.
Mary spent so much time with her hula family while she was growing up that she considered it her second home. She cherishes the knowledge, lessons, skills, talents, memories, and much more that she gained through her experience with her hula family. She really enjoyed the many performances and trips they participated in; from inter island to mainland trips and even international trips! Some of the travel destinations included Cooke Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Russia, California, Denmark, and other exciting destinations. She remembers those trips being a lot of work but provided her with life long lessons she carries with her today.
In the early 1990’s, Mary worked at Key Project in Kahaluu with an on-site drop in center for the youth for about 15 years. During that time she had the privilege of learning the art form “Hula Ki`i” through Kumu Hula John Keola Lake. Hula Ki’i consists of Hawaiian storytelling using puppets, Hawaiian oli, and English narration. Mary was so impressed with Kumu John Keola Lake’s performance that she decided to apply that same culture sharing style of Hula Ki’i with her youth at Key Project. She eventually developed her own Hula Ki’i scripts, which she shared with many different organizations. Kumu Mary hopes to share this art form with her halau. She is grateful to Kumu Lake for sharing and encouraging her to perpetuate Hula Ki`i. This experience helped her develop patients and confidence to work with Hawaii’s youth and children.
Mary had completed her Uniki level in hula under Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt and gained her kumu status. While still working with Key Project her work connected her path to Castle High School (CHS) in 1994. She was offered an opportunity to teach hula as a part time teacher. The following year she was offered the position as a full time kumu, teaching five classes a day with the Polynesian Music Electives. She was with CHS for 5 enjoyable years.
Working at CHS became a defining moment for Mary. She found her niche and fulfillment through the work she did with local youth students. Therefore, with the blessing of her kumu and the many support of special friends, Mary was able to start her own halau.
In 1999, thanks to the connection of close friends MaryLou Foli and John Morgan, Mary was able to find a home for her halau at Kualoa Ranch. That support led up to the birth of Kuhai Halau ‘o Kahealani pa ‘olapa kahiko. Kumu Mary Kahealani Kupau started her halau with about 10 students and now has over 50+ students under her direction. She now teaches 3 different level classes ranging from kaikamahine students as young as 4 years old to the mature ages of makua students.
In the year 2000, she had her first hoike with her students. The event was named, “Ho’okupu Aloha” by her Kumu Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt, which means the “Gift of Love”. Now every year around the month of May the halau holds the event at Kualoa Ranch. Each year Ho’okupu Aloha gets bigger along with the halau and community support. Also in 2000, Kuhai halau ‘o Kahealani pa ‘olapa kahiko traveled to the Kingdom of Tonga to share their gift of music and dance.
Mary is very grateful for all the support and blessings she received, from the Kualoa Ranch gang, to the halau students, student’s families, friends, community support, and anyone else who inspired or touch her life in anyway, most importantly her Kumu, her children and all her ‘ohana. Her journey of life has begun and growing with every passing day. Kumu Mary Kahealani Kupau loves to share all her knowledge, experience, and talent with her extended family in hula and is determined to uphold the values she learned through her hula experiences with her kumu. She is building a legacy of perpetuation, patience, passion, and love through the work that she does and the lives that she touches. Mahalo nui!